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Evolution of cardiovascular risk factors among 18-year-old males in Austria between 1986 and 2005

Zeitliche Entwicklung kardiovaskulärer Risikofaktoren bei österreichischen Stellungspflichtigen in den Jahren 1986–2005

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Zusammenfassung

FRAGESTELLUNG: Ziel der Untersuchung war die zeitliche Entwicklung kardiovaskulärer Risikofaktoren bei österreichischen Stellungspflichtigen von 1986 bis 2005 festzustellen und sozioökonomische sowie geographische Unterschiede aufzuzeigen. METHODIK: Die vom österreichischen Bundesheer stammenden Daten wurden im Rahmen der für alle 18-jährigen Männer verpflichtenden Stellungsuntersuchung erhoben. Vier Kohorten (1986 – 1990: n = 252,799; 1991 – 1995: n = 209,266; 1996 – 2000: n = 208,427; 2001 – 2005: n = 209,168) wurden unter Berücksichtigung des Bildungsstandes und geographischer Faktoren analysiert. Körpergröße, -gewicht, Taillenumfang, Blutdruck, Serum-Gesamtcholesterinspiegel und Triglyzeridwert wurden ermittelt. Der Body Mass Index (BMI) wurde berechnet und die Grenzen für Übergewicht (BMI zwischen 25 und <30) und Adipositas (BMI ≥ 30) definiert. Ein Chi2-Test und eine Varianzanalyse zum Vergleich mehrerer Mittelwerte wurden durchgeführt. ERGEBNISSE: Die Prävalenz von Übergewicht stieg signifikant von 13,3 % auf 15,7 % an, die von Adipositas verdoppelte sich von 2,6 % auf 5,4 % (p < 0,001) im Verlauf von 20 Jahren. Folglich verzeichneten der mittlere BMI und Taillenumfang eine signifikante Zunahme. Der Blutdruck und Serum-Gesamtcholesterinspiegel sanken (p < 0,001), während der Triglyzeridwert signifikant zunahm. Weiters konnte ein bezüglich der Prävalenz von Übergewicht und Adipositas, des mittleren BMI und Taillenumfangs signifikanter Ost-West-Gradient festgestellt werden, wobei die Einwohner von Städten signifikant geringere Werte im Vergleich zur ländlichen Bevölkerung aufwiesen. Jene Stellungspflichtigen, die einer geringeren sozialen Schicht angehören, zeigten höhere Werte bezüglich des mittleren BMI und der Prävalenz von Übergewicht und Adipositas. SCHLUSSFOLGERUNGEN: Unsere Studie zeigt einen deutlichen Anstieg des mittleren BMI, Taillenumfangs und der Prävalenz von Übergewicht und Adipositas bei österreichischen männlichen Jugendlichen während der letzten 20 Jahre. Die höchsten Werte zeigten sich bei Stellungspflichtigen aus ländlichen Gebieten und mit geringerer Schulbildung. Die verpflichtende Stellungsuntersuchung scheint ein nützliches Instrument zur Risikoüberwachung der männlichen Bevölkerung zu sein.

Summary

OBJECTIVE: The aims of the study were to determine time trends in cardiovascular risk factors among young Austrian males between 1986 and 2005 and to examine socioeconomic and geographic differences. METHODS: Data on Austrian conscripts were derived from the nationwide compulsory medical investigations held at military induction at 18 years of age. Four cohorts (1986–1990: n = 252,799; 1991–1995: n = 209,266; 1996–2000: n = 208,427; 2001–2005: n = 209,168) were examined with respect to their place of residence and level of education. Height, weight, waist circumference, blood pressure, serum total-cholesterol and triglycerides were measured. Mean body mass index (BMI) was calculated: overweight was defined as BMI between 25 and <30 and obesity as BMI ≥ 30. The Chi-squared test and ANOVA were used to test group differences. RESULTS: During the 20-year observation period the prevalence of overweight increased from 13.3% to 15.7% (p < 0.001) and that of obesity from 2.6% to 5.4% (p < 0.001); in accordance, mean BMI and waist circumference increased significantly. Blood pressure and serum total-cholesterol level decreased (p < 0.001) during the period studied, although triglyceride levels (p < 0.001) increased. A significant east–west gradient was identified for the prevalence of overweight and obesity, waist circumference and mean BMI, with lower values in the urban population compared with those of rural inhabitants. Mean BMI and the prevalence of overweight and obesity were higher in conscripts belonging to lower socioeconomic strata. CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrates a clear increase of mean BMI, waist circumference and the prevalence of overweight and obesity in Austrian male adolescents during the past 20 years. Conscripts from rural regions and with lower levels of education showed the highest values. The investigation of conscript health appears to be a useful tool for risk surveillance in the male population.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria

    Astrid Wallner, Alexandra Hirz & Thomas Waldhoer

  2. Department of Pediatrics, Vienna General Hospital, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria

    Edith Schober

  3. Ministry of Defence, Health Department, Vienna, Austria

    Harald Harbich

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  1. Astrid Wallner
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  2. Alexandra Hirz
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  3. Edith Schober
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  4. Harald Harbich
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  5. Thomas Waldhoer
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Correspondence to Edith Schober.

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Wallner, A., Hirz, A., Schober, E. et al. Evolution of cardiovascular risk factors among 18-year-old males in Austria between 1986 and 2005. Wien Klin Wochenschr 122, 152–158 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00508-010-1305-5

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